Fluorescent lantern



p 1955 D. CHARLESTON FLUORESCENT LANTERN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1955 Fig. l

INVENTOR. Donald Charleston Sept. 20, 1955 CHARLESTQN I 2,718,587

FLUORESCENT LANTERN Filed Aug. 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Donuld, Charleston BY United States Patent Office 2,718,587 Patented Sept. 20, 1955 FLUORESCENT LANTERN Donald Charleston, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 10, 1953, Serial No. 373,304

' 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-114) My invention relates to fluorescent lanterns or lamps, and the like.

An important object of my invention is to provide a v fluorescent type of lantern utilizing conventional fluorescent lamp bulbs and the conventional socket constructions used therefor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lantern of the aforementioned character which is equipped with suitable ballast for its operation and a terminal plate connection to facilitate wiring the same and maintaining the wiring circuit compact.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lantern of the aforementioned character having a hollow cup-shaped base, having the interior confines thereof adaptable for the support of the ballast and terminal plate connections, the same being made up of three elements-a cup-shaped base preferably of quadrilateral formation, an insulator top cover therefor, and brackets to maintain the cover in proper spaced relationship to provide the interior confines for the electrical instrumentalities hereinbefore mentioned.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means for hanging the lantern comprising my invention.

A further object of my invention is to provide a transparent or translucent top section, the same being secured to the base fixture by means of vertical rods and suitable locknut fastening means to permit light to be emitted radially about the fluorescent lamp bulbs, as well 5 as to permit rays of light to emanate above the top thereof.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a lantern of the aforementioned character screen protection means enclosing the entirelantern structure, so

as to prevent damage to the lamp bulbs that might be,

occasioned by the upsetting of the lantern.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a lantern of the aforementioned character quadrilateral, centrally positioned reflector means.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lantern of the aforementioned character equipped with quadrilateral reflector means which will radiate the light rays directed inwardly and reflect the same outwardly, so as to produce a greater intensity of illumination over an area of 360 about the lantern.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lantern of the aforementioned character, having a terminal plate with binding post connections to facilitate assembly, maintenance and repair thereof when that should become mandatory.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a lantern of the aforementioned character transparent top cover means to permit rays of light to be emanated and directed upwardly thereof.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lantern structure of the aforementioned character, which may be converted to an artistic lamp structure by replacement of the wire cage means, with a transparent or translucent body or cover having artistic decorations thereon; the lamp thus converted may be set up on any Other objects, ancillary advantages and features resident in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention, with certain portions thereof broken away in section, in order to more clearly depict the structural relationship of the parts composing the same.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken, substantially, through the midpoint of Fig. l and looking downwardly.

Fig. 3 is an electrical wiring diagram, showing the electrical circuit and the respective connections required to provide a proper electrical system for the operation of my invention.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 4, and consists of a cup-shaped base 5 made of metal or other suitable stamping material, or molding material, having a top lid or cover 6 made of a dielectric material and being assembled by virtue of fastenings not indicated, and brackets 7 which have the support ledges 30 in order to maintain the cover 6 in proper spaced relationship to provide the interior confines for mounting the ballast 26, and the terminal plate 27 equipped with a multiplicity of binding posts 28. The terminal plate is retained in place by fastening units 29.

The ballast 26 is provided with flanges 32 secured by nut or other similar fastenings 31, to the bottom of the base 5. The cover 6 is secured in spaced relationship to a top plate 25 made of transparent or translucent material, by virtue of the tie rods 16 and the nut fastenings indicated to maintain the same in parallel relationship to the cover plate 6. V

The tube 33 has attached thereto the hanger fixture 19 and serves the further purpose of housing the wires 57, 58, 59 and 60 which connect electrically the sockets 9 and 11 to terminal board 27.

The top plate 25 is provided with a bezel portion 24 to hold the protective cage 23 made of wire mesh or means of screws 18 which aid in fastening the quadrilateral-reflector formation composed of angular reflectors 14 and 15 which are disposed in angular relationship toward the median line or axis of the fluorescent bulbs 12 and 13, so as to radiate the rays of light emanating from the bulbs 12 and 13 which would normally travel inwardly and reflect those rays outwardly to intensify the outward illumination provided by the lantern 4 over an area of 360 transversely, also permitting certain of the rays to emanate upwardly through the transparent or translucent top cover 25.

The lantern is also provided with a suitable hanger fixture 19, having the hanging car 20 to 'be secured to a bracket 21 hingeably mounted on plate 22, which may be secured to a wall or other similar structure.

Electrical circuit Power connections, and connections between terminal plate 27 and ballast 26 are as follows: plate power lead is connected to the terminal plate 27 at 41, power lead 81 is connected to terminal plate 27 at 42r Te rminal plate 27, connection 49 is connected to ballast Z6 atpoint 51 by wire 55; connection 50 is connected to ballast 26, connection 62 by wire 67; terminal plate 27, connection 48 to ballast 26, connection 63 via wire 66; terminal plate 27, connection 47 to ballast 26 connection 64 via wire 65 terminal plate fl, connection 46 to ballast 26, connection 61 via wire 68; terminal vplate 2'], connection 44 to ballast 26, connection 53 via wire 54; terminal plate 27, connection 43 to ballast 26, connection 52 via wire 56.

.Lamp connections from terminal plate 27 are as o low i Terminal plate 27, connection 35 to socket 1Q, .connection 7 2 via wire 78; terminal plate 27, connection 36, to socket 8 connection 73 via wire 79; terminal plate 27, connection 38, to socket 9, connec tion 74 via wire 60; terminal plate 27, connection 39 to socket 9, connection 75 via Wire 59; terminal plate Z7, connection 40, to, socket 1 1 connection 76 via wire 58; terminal p t 7,. 9 n t9 9 9t 1. 99nn99 9n. wire 57; connection between socket 10, connection 70, and socket 8, connection 71 is made through wire 69. Power leads SO and 81 are connected toa conventional .p9i 9u. 9

Th t hmw bw l z 9.9 91 9 t Y n a garage when repairingjan automobjle, either under the car or alongside the, automobile for producing or furnishing suflicient illumination for the operations involved. It

,rnay ,be utilized on a mechanicfs bench for fi1 r nishing light. .It maybe hung in aconvenient plaee, as indicate nf e. lttor yid i m n n. om. s si on a wall or other similar structure; It may also be .ut i edwhsnf nro idedwi' a r nslus transparent decorated body for ornamental, decorative purposes such as for exarnple on the tableof a living room, or on a t levis on. ..9 sim la t l v o u n ur 1. Althou h. h ...d aw a d. the a v S ifi a o disclose the best modes in which I have contemplated sm sly nsm i sm ml. desi $91 in 9 W y l m to the details of such disclOsur e, for inthe further practical applicationof rny invention many changes in the 9. 1n a d qnstr s n r imw e ad a .9i

stances require .orexperience suggests without departing from the spirit of the invention as expounded within th pe, o .th p1 d9 a S.-. Having thus described and revealed my invention, atl l mas new nd. de e to ecur b Letters Pat nt sn, ..1 .1, 1 j

b e fluo e a t r m a s. a t d- 9pe s. 9 0. c cuits, comp i i a h ba s .3

.j a tmw 's9Qnfi d i 'ase n P a means Pro i d with mu l b n nsp means a m un w hin t q fi 9 th d se a. die t c cover secu 9 the top. o io t. the S ba ep ma y .fluorescent sockets secured tothe saidcover a transparent top plate,rods'securing thesaid' cover and top plate in spaced relationship, secondary fluorescent socke s; u ed. 1 th d. p P a a in .qrpos .i t n hip, t th a P 'ma fl r s n s kets. a

pluralfluorescentbulb elements secured rernovably to the said primary and the said secondary fluorescent sockets. -1 liq ablefiuoms t n nm a a a t ltq 9pat P .1 r t 9 mp i na 191. ba e ba last means conflned in said base, terminal plate: means provided with multiple binding post meansancl mounted within the confines of the said base, a dielectric cover secured to the top portion of the said base, primary "flh'resehrsaketsseiifaaa are "s'aia ctivc'rfftfar'isparent top plate, rods securing the said cover and top plate in spaced relationship, secondary fluorescent sockets secured to the said top plate and in opposed relationship to the said primary fluorescent sockets, plural fluorescent bulb elements secured removably to the said primary and the said seanaary fluorescent sockets, and reflector means'of"; quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration interposed intermediately the same fluorescent bulb elements and dispdse cp sa astO present dihedral reflector sections; behindeacl 1;- of the .said fluorescent bulb elements, said reflector m eans" being oriented with respect to said-fluorescent bullfelements so that an imaginary geometric plane bisecting said dihedral reflector sections also passes through the axes of said fluorescent bulb elements.

3. Portable fluorescent lantern means adapted to operate on 'v."cirnits'," comprising altollow -base', ballast means confined in said base, terminalpla'te'me'a'ns provided with multiple'b'inding post means and mounted within mecmnmernte said'baseQa dielectric cover secured tdth' top" portion of the said base, primary fluorescent sockets secured to the said'co'ver, a transparent top plate, r assecnnngthe said cover and top plate'in' spaced relationship, condary" fluorescent sock- 'e'ts secured'to'tlie 's'aidtop plate and in opposed relationship'to t'he said"primarffluoiscent sockets, plural fluorescent bulb elementss ured femovably to 'the said primary and tne saia'seeonda'ry fluorescent sockets, a beZel elementfre movably seCuridYo the perimetrical edges of the said topplat'e; and protective cage means secured td'thd'sz'iid bezel cleinnt'.

4. Portable fluo fe'scent "lantern means" adapted to ope' rtitedn' no v1 circuits, comprising" a hollow base, ballast means confined in said base, terminal plate means provided with" multiple binding post means and mounted within the charities o'f'th'e s aid"base','a dielectric cover secured to the top portion-oflthe'said'base, primary fluorescent sockets secure'd to the said cover, 'a transparent 'topplate'frjods semi gate said cover and top plate i'nspaced relationship, secondary fluorescent sockets secured 'tothe saidlop plate and in opposed relationship tofthe said"pri'rna ry' fluorescent sockets, plural fluorescent sentiments" secured removably to the said primar and the' saidiscondaryfluorescent sockets, reiflec't' 4 means: afj tiaqnlatetarcrass-s amenconfiguration "interposed int'ermed iatlyT the: said fluorescent bulb element s'andfiisposed was to present dihedral reflector sectionsf'behindEach; or; th'fsaidfluorescent bulb elements, saidreflector lnearisfbeingoriented with respect to said fluorcscenti bulb. element s' 'so that'an imaginary gaoemc plane 'bisecting said dih ed'ra'l reflector sections also pa'ss throiu'gh' 'the'fai'eisbf said fluorescent bulb elementsla bezel -element r emovably secured to the prime trical edges of the said topplat, and protective s m 's assss s tubes??? b z ls sm m- References cit ed intheflle of thi s patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

